Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit Power Supply Failure

Issue Overview

The Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit is experiencing a critical power-related issue. The main symptoms include:

• Power LED no longer illuminating
• Fan not spinning
• No output from the serial console
• No signal detected on oscilloscope
• Power supply dropping to 0V when connected to the Jetson

This problem occurred after approximately one month of normal use. The issue persists even when using different power supplies, including the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supply and a 12V alternative.

Possible Causes

1. Short Circuit on Carrier Board: The issue persists even after removing the Jetson Orin Module, suggesting a potential short on the carrier board itself.

2. Faulty Power Management IC: A malfunctioning power management integrated circuit could cause the power supply to enter a failure mode.

3. Damaged Power Input Port: The power input port on the carrier board may be damaged, causing improper power delivery.

4. Blown Fuse or Damaged Component: An internal fuse or component may have failed, disrupting the power distribution within the board.

5. Manufacturing Defect: There could be an underlying manufacturing issue affecting the board’s power circuitry.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Power Supply Functionality:

   • Disconnect the power supply from the Jetson.
   • Measure the output voltage (should be 19V for OEM supply).
   • If voltage is correct, proceed to next steps. If not, replace the power supply.

2. Inspect Carrier Board:

   • Carefully examine the carrier board for any visible signs of damage, burned components, or obvious short circuits.
   • Pay special attention to the power input area and surrounding components.

3. Test with Jetson Orin Module Removed:

   • Remove the Jetson Orin Module from the carrier board.
   • Attempt to power on the carrier board alone.
   • If the issue persists, it confirms a problem with the carrier board itself.

4. Consult Schematic:

   • Refer to the P3768_A04 schematic for detailed circuit information.
   • Use this to identify potential problem areas or components to check.

5. Measure Continuity:

   • Using a multimeter, check for unexpected continuity between power and ground pins on the carrier board.
   • This can help identify any short circuits.

6. Attempt UART Recovery:

   • Connect to the UART/serial console.
   • Try initiating a recovery mode boot to see if any diagnostic information is available.

7. Contact NVIDIA Support:

   • If all troubleshooting steps fail, contact NVIDIA support for further assistance or to initiate an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) process.

8. Initiate RMA Process:

   • Provide NVIDIA support with details of the troubleshooting steps performed and the forum discussion link.
   • Follow their instructions for returning the device for repair or replacement.

Note: As this issue appears to be a hardware failure, software-based solutions are unlikely to resolve the problem. The most likely outcome is that the device will need to be returned for repair or replacement through NVIDIA’s RMA process.